With recruiting season hitting the final stretches and many prospects taking their official visits in the coming weeks, ChippewaCountry examines a few recruiting questions about the Central Michigan program.

How many scholarships does CMU have left?

Central Michigan brought in 30 commitments for 2009, with Deja Alexander, Justice Akueue, Jarrett Fleming, Dominic Mainello and Davon Muse all greyshirting and counting towards the 2010 class. Bobby James and Galen Clemons both left the program this season meaning the grand total for scholarships in 2009 was 23. CMU currently has 17 commitments for 2010 and with the five greyshirts, sits at a total of 22 if all the greyshirts enroll in January as expected. The Chippewas only have 13 seniors and a few walk-on's may receiver scholarship consideration, most notably Indiana State transfer Nate Williams and freshman defensive tackle Daniel Jackson. So basically Central Michigan has very few scholarships available and ChippewaCountry has narrowed it down to anywhere between three and six scholarships, depending on a few factors. Those factors are normal program attrition, the possible early entry of junior wide receiver Antonio Brown, greyshirt options for 2010 prospects and whether or not all the 2009 greyshirts do indeed enroll in January.

What position is being recruited the hardest right now?

This one is pretty easy, and it's defensive back. The Chippewas have targeted 2010 prospects Wayne Pettus, Khari Burke, Johnnie Simon, Marcques Dixon. Tony Zenon, Jerry Gates, Nathan Lindsey, Ryland Ward and possibly Massillon (OH) quarterback Robert Partridge as defensive back prospects with offers. Pettus and Ward are the only prospects in the group to have visited CMU as of now, so this group should see some commitments once official visits occur. Pettus, Simon, Ward and Gates seem to be the early front runners as they have expressed great interest in the Central Michigan football program. Both Gates and Ward have told ChippewaCountry that CMU is their current favorite and CMU is number two for Simon currently.

What possible coaching changes could CMU take advantage of in recruiting?

The easiest one to look at is Bill Lynch at Indiana. The Hoosiers currently sit at 4-7 and just 1-6 in the Big Ten conference after a hot start and Lynch may be on the way out. LB Ishmael Thomas, OL Bill Ivan, TE Leniel Hrimes, DB Shaquille Jefferson and LB Matt Zakrzewski are all current Indiana commits whom Central Michigan offered. Of that group, Zakrzewski would be the one to keep an eye on as CMU finished second to Indiana and left a very good impression on the Traverse City St. Francis (MI) star. Jefferson and Ivan were also very interested in CMU before committing to the Hoosiers. Illinois is another school to keep an eye on even though their athletic administration came out and said head coach Ron Zook was safe for another year. OL Andy Gallik was very high on the Chippewas before opting for the Illini and would be a key name to keep an eye on should Zook not make it to 2010.

What are some prospects who do not have CMU offers as of now, who could receive one in the near future?

The name that really stands out is Muskego (WI) defensive tackle Kyle Costigan. Costigan has been a bit under the radar after an injury prevented him from hitting the camp circuit, but he visited CMU in the summer and came away very impressed. At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Costigan could project at multiple positions and reminds ChippewaCountry a lot of 2009 commit Aaron Kaczmarski. Detroit King defensive end Samuel Sillmon[/db[ is another name whom the Chippewas coaching staff has been carefully evaluating and may be close to offering. A few other names to keep an eye on: